Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ion Erice (6) fights for control of the ball with Los Angeles FC forward Latif Blessing (7) during the first half of MLS soccer action in Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, April 17, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Hwang’s goal came in the 27th minute after Vancouver winger Victory Giro popped a shot off the post. The rebound ricocheted to Hwang and the 22-year-old South Korean took a quick shot, sailing a low ball past Miller.

The LAFC netminder had already made some tough stops, starting in the 14th minute after Hwang booted in a corner kick.

Vancouver defender Doneil Henry received the ball, heading it over to Yordy Reyna. The striker fired a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, forcing Miller to make a diving save.

L.A.’s first chance of the night came on a free kick in the 22nd minute after Henry took out Latif Blessing with a sliding tackle.

The move earned Henry a yellow card and Blessing spent several minutes writhing on the field before eventually getting back up and continuing to play.

Officials showed Giro the yellow in the 39th minute after he, too, made contact with Blessing.

Crepeau made a beautiful stop on a right-footed shot from Vela in the 45th minute to keep the ‘Caps up going into the half. It’s the first time this season that Vancouver has ended the first half of a game with a lead.

LAFC pushed hard in the second half, dominating possession and forcing the ‘Caps to defend hard.

The squad outshot Vancouver eight-to-five across the game’s final 45 minutes.